Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
I'm more than a bit perplexed by this response. Are you really unaware of the concept of "mental health"?
I am aware of the concept, but I am trying to establish what you mean by it in this context. The typical medical usage of the word would not label all self deluded people mentally ill.
The following definition seems reasonable enough:
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health:
Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder.
So would you take happiness to be "emotional well-being"? If so, that seems to go against your argument.
I'm also not sure why you've brought up "theism". Have you lost track of the context of this discussion?
Not at all. We are discussing self delusion for the sake of happiness, and the 'God' delusion is the best known and most popular such delusion.
I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. First of all, I didn't claim that selfishness is inherently wrong, though the case can probably be made.
You very strongly implied it. If anything your early posts depended on it.
The point was that most, if not all, transgressions are borne of selfishness.
I cant find mention of that point in any of your previous posts.
I can't think of any that aren't: murder, rape, pedophilia, etc. all seem to fit. Are you saying that you would be hard pressed to explain why the above are wrong?
But almost all our actions are selfish. It is illogical to conclude that because some selfish actions are wrong, then all selfish actions are wrong.